Honda CRF450R 2022 — Specifications

What sets a motocross bike capable of winning world titles apart from a mere high-performance 450? Probably what Honda injected into the 2022 CRF450R: the direct DNA of Tim Gajser's machine, the MXGP champion. This generation doesn't revolutionize the formula, but refines it with watchmaker precision. The 449.7 cc Unicam single-cylinder produces 62 hp at 9,000 rpm and 48 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm — figures that fall right in line with the class. What changes for this model year is primarily the electronics: new maps deliver a more progressive, more usable power delivery. The 46 mm throttle body, the airbox whose clean-side volume jumped from 1.8 to 4.1 liters, the oval headers inspired by the CBR 1000 RR-R Fireblade — all of that laid the groundwork in 2021. For 2022, Honda fine-tunes the engine management without touching the mechanicals. The result: a more linear throttle response, less brutal on corner exit. The hydraulic clutch inherited from HRC remains a true delight, with 10% less lever effort and a 27% increase in capacity thanks to an additional friction plate. When compared to the Yamaha YZ450F 2019, listed at the same $9,299 price tag stateside, or the Kawasaki KX450 positioned in the same bracket, the Honda CRF450R stands out through its direct lineage with the factory program.

The real work for 2022 focuses on the chassis, and more specifically on the Showa suspension. The 49 mm inverted fork, identical to the factory kit supplied to the official teams in the Japanese MX championship, receives recalibrated low-speed valving. Compression and rebound now respond more firmly, and oil volume increases to 380 cc. The rear Pro-Link shock follows the same logic with fully revised hydraulics. The goal is clear: harmonize front-to-rear behavior to gain stability through fast sequences. The seventh-generation twin-spar aluminum frame, already lightened by 700 grams in 2019 to reach 8.4 kg, retains its 20% reduced lateral rigidity that promotes cornering speed. At 105.8 kg dry, with a 1,481 mm wheelbase and 336 mm of ground clearance, the Honda CRF450R remains among the lightest and tallest in the segment. The seat perched at 965 mm leaves no doubt about this machine's purpose.

On the electronics front, the 2022 CRF450R packs an arsenal that many competitors don't offer as standard. The HSTC, a three-mode torque control system, manages rear wheel slip without a wheel speed sensor, relying solely on engine rpm fluctuation readings. Clever. The Launch Control offers three start maps tailored to rider level, from beginner on muddy terrain to expert on hard-pack. The EMSB selector adds another three engine maps, from mild to aggressive, adjustable through the HRC system. Everything is controlled from the left switchgear, without leaving the stock Renthal Fatbar handlebar. This wealth of adjustability makes the Honda CRF450R a machine that adapts equally to the weekend rider and the licensed racer gunning for the regional podium.

Priced at 9,999 euros, the 2022 Honda CRF450R doesn't come cheap. But it delivers a cohesive package, matured through years of successive evolutions since the frame redesign in 2019 and the major engine update in 2021. Its dual-piston caliper front brake on a 260 mm petal disc gets the job done without fanfare. Its 5-speed chain-drive gearbox remains conventional. The 6.3-liter tank limits range, but we're talking about a motocross bike, not a dual-sport. For anyone seeking a reliable, well-bred 450 motocrosser loaded with useful electronics, it's a safe bet. For those who already own a 2021 model, the difference will come down mainly to suspension feel. Owners of 2018 or 2019 Honda CRF450R models, on the other hand, will find a significant qualitative leap here. The competition knows that when Honda refines its CRF, the stopwatch does the talking.